The Osceola times., 1887-05-28
WASHINGTON LETTER
wAsnrsoros, DC, May %, 1887
Rro- Oar Rsxul.r cor.poaasn,l


! To-day more than a thousand
tents whiten the greensward that
stretches around the Washington
Monument. The troops are aow all
here who intended to participate in
the National Drill, anc they repre-
sent Alabama, Arkansas, Connect
eut, COLORADO, Dakota, Indiana, Hi
nOis, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Lou
isana, Maine, Mary land, Massachu-
setts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missis-
sippi, Missouri, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, North Car
olina, South Carolina, Ohio, Rhode
Island, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia,
Washington Territory and the Dis
i-iot Of Columbia.
The Drill opened this morning,
but the day was consumed by some
fornalities, such as naming the camp,
Issuing orders. receiving the latest
arrivals OF troops. etc, and this even
ng there was a dress parade by all
Of the organizations encamped, but
the competitive drill begips tomor-
row. The soldiers here represent
the flower of the National Guard of
their States, and many Of the co1l-
nands are noted for their excellen,
discipline, and won trophies in State
: aud interstate drills.
Such a camp has not been seen in
this country since the veterans Of
the veterans Of the civil war broke
their camp in '65. Now the soldiers
Of the North, South, East and West
: assemble in one camp and contend
. il. friendly strife for the trophies of
the peaceful drill ground. The week
e will be exceedingly lively in Wash
n ington. 1t will be filled with events,
brilliant street pageants, attractive
drills, reviews and street parades.
Washington can beast in superla-
(, tive language of many things. l,
q has the largest public buildings, the
+ most beautiful streets, the wides,
and the sinoothest pavements, the
b. finest public grounds, the greatest
f.. number Of shade trees and fountains
a and statues, the highest monument
o and many other things the most
wonderful aud best and "biggost" OF
j. their kiud, and now it adds to tht
list the largest competitive drill, VI
g to this time the greatest gathering o
# the kind was at " Camp Il. e. Drum
r III Mobile, two years ago, but tbs
. National Drill exceeds that morC
!, than three fold IN the number o
r. military bodies that will take part.
d The good people Of Washington
H are rejoicing that the order permit
n ting the sale OF intoxicating liluor'
on the dril! ground has been revoked
The bar privilege of the ground haf
1t been sold by the drill committee fol
J. sl,3OO, but it is settled that only
'e temperance drinks shall be dispens
k ed at the refreshment counter under
Ie the grand stand this week. The re-
Y. vocation of the privilege has beer
lr attributed to the influence of the
President through the effort of som,
ladies' of the W. I. G.. L., who call
ed upon HIM to interfere, and also I,
suggestion from the COMMISSIONS
of public grounds, to To, effect thai
the War Department, to which tn,
!, a drill ground belongs) would be graf
/ fled ii the committee would exclude
l, Intoxicating liquors. But from
!, whatever source the influence may
y y have come, most people were pleas
u ed with the final decision and action
II of the National Drill Committee.
After the close of the Drill the
le President will take a vacation OF
+" about ten days, accompanied by Mrs
Cleveland, Colonel Lamont and his
y. family. They will go to Saranac
4, Lake, New York, where the fishing
y is said to be good ut this season. 1t
IT is said they will 20 on the second OF
e June, which is the anniversary of the
S Presidents marriage. Doubtless he
e feels the need OF rest, and the even,
t, could not, probably, be celebrated
Y. IN way more agreeable to him.
il The Financial situation has been
demanding a great deal Of the Pres
ident's time and attention of late, as,
indeed, 1, is the most important
! question now before him. On last
;, Wednesday night the Secretary Of
the Treasury remained at the White
House until two o'clock in the morn
= ing, talking over the matter with
d hun. He is being urged by the ad-
vocates of tariff reduction to call an
!, extra session Of Congress early in
the fall for the purpose of consider
- ing revenue measures. But Secre-
tary Fairch,ld is SO safe and conserv-
alive a manager that there osn b..
no real cause Of alarm concerning
the stringenoy Of the money market,
: whether Congress is specially con-
= vened or not. Besides the Secreta-
ry's powers are sufficient, under ex-
b isting laws, TO enable him to ward
off any threatened danger. In the
: worst contingency that can he mag
,, ined he is at liberty TO step into the
open market and buy bonds for